How to Get Hitched in Austin, Texas

This is our first installment in our series about gay weddings and honeymoons in the South.

June 26 was a game changer for much of the South. As one of EDGE's Facebook followers recently pointed out, today there is no longer gay marriage -- only marriage. In celebration of this historical ruling, we've unearthed spectacular Southern plantations, urban oases and island adventures in some of our favorite destinations that fall south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Best of all? They're ready to throw the wedding of the century.

There are lots of options for a bigger-than-life Texan nuptial, but we've set our sights on locavore-centric Austin, which has always been a beacon of blue in a primarily red state.

Set up camp at the new JW Marriott Austin, a soaring 34-story, 1,012-room property on East Second Street in the heart of the city center, where you can welcome your wedding guests at the glorious rooftop pool.

Austin's latest developments include the Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake, a gorgeous 10-mile trail that offers skyline and waterfront views. For those looking to toast with something besides the requisite Champagne, Austin's distillery scene is conjuring up artisan spirits ranging from Genius Gin to White Hat Premium Texas Rum. Hire a driver and create your own distillery tour around town.

For other local recommendations, we turned to Lynn Yeldell, co-founder of L Style G Style. She's our go-to expert and has been touting the city's LGBT culture since 2007. Yeldell recommends the following:

Worth a Thousand Words
Austinites are embracing the past while keeping an eye on the future, as exhibited by recently married Benjamin Baronet and Augustine (Tino) Chavez, who crafted a save-the-date card as homage to Texas's cowboy roots and long fight for gay marriage. To capture those moments of a lifetime on your special day, consider local photographers Amy and Nathan Russell, who believe "real love stories are the kind worth telling."

Gay-Friendly Bites
Known for its entrepreneurial spirit, Austin isn't short on small businesses looking to make their mark. Host a casual rehearsal dinner or bachelor/bachelorette party at Jacoby's Restaurant and Mercantile -- or go full-throttle and ring them bells with smoky barbeque wafting through a smartly curated dining room. Head to Gemelli Artisanal Gelato and Dessert Caf� for dessert. Both are gay-owned and -operated.

aGLIFF
Sure, you can head to Austin for SXSW and get trampled by hipster paparazzi, or you can mark your calendar for the Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival (September 10-September 13, 2015). More than 150 films will be screened at the festival's 28th year. More than just an annual festival, aGLIFF also supports the Queer Youth Media Project, a one-week intensive for LGBT youth interested in filmmaking.

Down and Dirty Guide to Austin's Best

Visit Austin
www.austintexas.org

JW Marriott Austin
www.jwmarriottaustin.com

L Style G Style
www.lstylegstyle.com

aGLIFF
www.agliff.org

Jacoby's Restaurant and Mercantile
www.jacobysaustin.com

Gemelli Artisanal Gelato and Dessert Caf�
www.gemelligelato.com

You Are My True
www.youaremytrue.com

This story is part of our special report: "Gay Marriage". Want to read more? Here's the full list.